Greystone Valley: Greystone Valley, #1

By Charlie P. Brooks

Greystone Valley is a land of wizards, dragons, and warriors... and one young girl who ends up there quite by accident when her idle wish is granted. Sarah discovers that not everything in the valley is as magic as she might've wished - especially the nearly illiterate wizard, the mouse-sized dragon, and the warrior who can't stand the sight of blood. Being hunted isn't helping, either. Will Sarah survive this new life of hers, and can she make it home? And, more importantly, will she ever be the same again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grey Gecko Press
• Release date: Mar 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9781938821387

Charlie P. Brooks

Charlie Brooks left Eton to become a stable lad for racing legend Fred Winter. After riding in the Grand National, and winning the Cheltenham Festival as an amateur jockey, he became the youngest racehorse trainer in England. He has broadcast for Radio Five and Bloomberg TV and hosted his own sports programme, 'The Charlie Brooks Show'. He is a columnist for the Daily Telegraph and lives on his farm in the Cotswolds. His autobiography, Crossing the Line, was widely acclaimed.

Book preview

One

Somewhere, a dragon lunged.

With a roar like thunder, the monster opened its mouth and shot white-hot fire. Then it folded its wings against its gigantic body and dove toward its prey on the ground. The dragon bellowed, and the earth shook from the noise.

On the ground, the Emerald Enchantress stood with her sword at the ready. She held her ground, waiting patiently until the monster came close enough for her to speak the magic word…

Sarah!

Sarah sighed as she snapped out of her imaginary world. She was still in Dr. Goldberg’s office, and only five minutes had passed. She sat up straight in an overstuffed chair and ran her hands across the legs of her blue jeans. What is it, Dr. Goldberg? She batted her eyes innocently as she spoke.

You weren’t listening to me at all, were you?

Of course I was.

Then what did I say?

Um… that I have problems telling the difference between fantasy and reality?

Dr. Goldberg’s gray mustache twitched in irritation. That was a lucky guess.

He started scribbling something in his notepad. Sarah watched the top of his bald head redden as he concentrated. He looked like an old wizard… Merlin, maybe. She couldn’t help but imagine his gray-white tufts of hair and bushy mustache staring at her from underneath a tall, pointed wizard’s cap. She wondered if he knew any spells.

There you go again, said the doctor. You’ve got that look in your eyes, like you’re a million miles away and not even listening to me.

Sarah blinked and focused on Dr. Goldberg’s pale face. If no one listens to what I have to say, why should I listen to them?

It’s not that no one’s listening, Sarah. We’re trying to help you. Your mother’s worried that ever since your father… well, you know… we’re just a little concerned that you’re losing touch with reality.

She’s the one who’s lost touch with reality, said Sarah bitterly.

Dr. Goldberg slumped back in his chair and crossed his legs. Why don’t you tell me again about your father’s accident? How did it make you feel?

Sarah stared out the window. She watched the boring gray sky for a long time. I’d rather tell stories, she said.

OK, then, try telling me a story.

A wicked smile crossed Sarah’s face as she looked at the doctor. Her eyes lit up, and she tried to think of the wildest fairy tale she could imagine.

The horned ogre stood ten feet tall and breathed fire. It had long yellow teeth and skin as black as coal. It marched through the countryside on heavy goat-like hooves. Wherever it went, people fled.

The Emerald Enchantress never ran, though. She stood her ground as the red-eyed monster charged toward her. It stopped right in front of her and roared. She still didn’t move.

I know what you want, the Enchantress said through green-hued lips. You want to go home.

The monster screwed up its face in a look of confusion. Then it nodded.

I know, the Enchantress said. The world can be a frightening place.

She touched the ogre’s arm, and they both disappeared.

Can we just go home? asked Sarah from the passenger’s seat of the car. The gray sky had turned even darker. Now rain pelted against the windshield, leaving large wet splotches wherever it landed.

I have to run errands, said Sarah’s mom. She was tall and thin, with dark hair and pale blue eyes. She held the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Just because you wormed your way out of your doctor’s meeting early doesn’t mean I can rearrange my day.

It’s not my fault that boring old Doc Goldberg doesn’t have any imagination. Sarah folded her arms against the seatbelt and pouted.

Dr. Goldberg is trying to help you. That kind of help isn’t cheap, either.

What’s he trying to help? I didn’t have any problems until you decided to take me to see him every Saturday.

Her mom stayed quiet until the car rolled to a stop in the parking lot of a drugstore. She turned the engine off and then looked into Sarah’s face.

Sarah, sweetie, you’re a twelve-year-old girl. Someone like you should be playing outside, spending time with your friends, and thinking about boys. Instead, you spend all your time locked up in your room reading books and playing make-believe.

I thought reading was supposed to be a good thing.

Her mom’s face flushed. Sarah had lured her into a trap. It is, but you can have too much of a good thing. I’m proud that you’re creative, but I’m worried about you, too. You never used to be this sheltered.

Sarah sighed and looked out the window. The rain was starting to come down hard. You never used to be this boring, she muttered.

What did you say?

Nothing. Sarah curled up, putting her knees against the dashboard of the car.

I’m going to head inside. Are you coming with me or not?

Sarah shook her head and kept looking at the rain. Her mom sighed.

OK, then. Keep the doors locked and I’ll be right back. She hesitated before opening the door. I do love you, you know.

Sarah didn’t answer.

In the darkest of nights, the Emerald Enchantress had no power. When the stars were covered by the clouds and the moon was dark, her magic became useless. She had only one trick left.

Listen for the clock chimes in the Great City, her master had told her. When the clock strikes midnight, count the bells and make a wish. If the chime rings thirteen times instead of twelve, your wish will come true.

She held her breath in the city streets, surrounded by thieves and assassins. They were almost upon her. Then the clock struck, and she made her wish.

Sarah kept the door of her room closed after dinner. She wanted to be locked away, safely out of arguing distance with her mom.

Everyone thinks there’s something wrong with me, she said to the walls.

Naturally, the room didn’t answer her.

I just don’t want to be like everyone else. All the girls at school are giggly and stupid now. All they ever think about is growing up and kissing boys. I’m not an adult yet. I still get to be a kid for a little while, don’t I?

She picked up a book out of a heavy stack in the corner and started reading on her bed. The stories inside brought her to new magical worlds—places where bad things didn’t happen to good people and where magic was something more than a figment of her imagination. That world was a place where even adults still believed in Santa Claus, where dragons flew through the sky, and where the heroes always beat the villains in the end.

Outside Sarah’s door, tired footsteps trudged their way up the stairs and toward her room. There was a knock, followed by her mom’s voice. Sarah? Can I come in?

The door opened before Sarah could answer. Her mom was already in her pajamas, with a fluffy green bathrobe pulled around her. She turned the light on, causing Sarah to flinch as the room filled with an unwanted yellow glow.

You really need to leave the light on when you’re reading, said Sarah’s mom. She sat down on the edge of the bed, like she was one of Sarah’s friends, and put her hand next to Sarah’s stocking feet.

I can read just fine in the dark, said Sarah, not looking up from her story.

Right now you can, but wait until you get to be my age. If I had half the sense then that I have now, I wouldn’t need glasses the size of windows just to read the newspaper.

From behind the cover of her book, Sarah smiled. Her mom’s pretty eyes always got so tiny when she wore her glasses. Sarah’s own eyes were a dull brown. If she ever needed glasses like that, someone might think two ants were sleeping on her face.

Anyway, said her mom, taking on a more serious tone, I’m sorry I snapped at you earlier today.

Sarah just shrugged. I’m getting used to it.

She didn’t see her mom frown, but she could hear the hurt in her voice. I’m only trying to do what’s best for you, you know.

Sarah turned the page, determined not to look at her mom. Then stop taking me to see Dr. Goldberg.

I can’t do that. You need someone to talk to these days.

We’re talking right now, aren’t we?

Only technically. You’re not even looking at me. Except for meals and school, you’ve barely been out of your room for weeks. Your teachers are getting concerned, and so am I.

Despite her best efforts, Sarah peered over the edge of her book so she could see her mom’s face. I’m fine, she said emphatically.

You barely even talk to your friends these days, continued her mom, as though she wasn’t even listening. Whatever happened to Carrie or Beth or Julie?

Sarah turned another page. They’re boring these days. Everyone is.

What do you mean they’re boring? They’re your friends.

You’re a mom. You wouldn’t get it even if I explained it.

Her mom sighed and threw up her hands. You’re the one who’s boring, you know. You spend every free moment you have cooped up in here reading those fairy tales of yours.

You’re the one who got me into them, defended Sarah. She felt a smile inside her when she remembered sitting on her dad’s lap while her mother told her tales of wizards and dragons, but the smile didn’t quite make its way out.

Sarah’s mom got a dreamy look on her face for a split second, too, but that look disappeared just as quickly as Sarah’s almost-smile had. I told you those stories so they would spark your imagination and inspire you. The heroes I told you about went out and did things with their lives.

But fairy tales are more interesting than real life.

Why?

Sarah lowered her book so her mom could clearly see her roll her eyes. Because there aren’t any conversations like this in them.

Shaking her head, her mom finally stood up and started to the door. I miss your father, too. But you don’t see me hiding from the world.

I don’t see you in Dr. Goldberg’s office, either.

That’s different. I’m an adult. I know how I feel.

I know how I feel, too, said Sarah, focusing her attention back on her book. Just because you can’t figure it out doesn’t mean you have to torture me until you do.

Sarah’s mom didn’t say anything else. She left the room silently and closed the door behind her. Even after her mom had left, though, Sarah kept shielding her face with the book. Even though there was no one to watch, she wanted to hide the tears in her eyes.

Sarah hardly said a word to her mother for the rest of the evening. That routine was becoming more and more normal lately. Eventually, they went to bed, each tucked away in their separate rooms, each alone in a house that seemed much too large for only two people.

Darkness came quickly that night. Shadows snuck into Sarah’s room so quietly they could have stolen her away. Black clouds covered the moon and stars. Pulling the blankets over her head, Sarah squeezed her eyes shut and listened to the ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. Usually, she counted the ticks of the gears inside the clock as a way to help her sleep. Tonight, it wasn’t working. No matter how long she listened, she didn’t get tired. She concentrated harder and harder, trying to force herself to go to sleep. But, as everyone knows, it’s nearly impossible to fall asleep when you’re actually trying to do so.

It wasn’t until midnight that Sarah finally started getting tired. The clock in the hallway whirred softly as it began to chime. Sarah closed her eyes as the bells rang.

One, two, three, four. Her body seemed to grow heavier.

Five, six, seven, eight. Her breathing slowed down. Her body felt warm and comfortable.

Nine, ten, eleven. She felt a snore start to rumble its way up from inside her.

Twelve. She smiled and let sleep take her. Her mind drifted away to another land—the land she wished she could be in all the time.

Another bell tolled—a thirteenth chime. That was odd, but Sarah let herself slip into the deep sleep that was calling to her. For a while, at least, she could dream and forget all her problems.

It would only be a momentary break from reality, though. In a few hours, she’d have to wake up and face another day that would be just as dreary as this one.

At least, that’s what she thought.

Two

Sunlight pushed its way past the room’s curtains, landing across Sarah’s face in a warm yellow glow.

Let me sleep just a few more minutes, she mumbled, pulling the blankets over her head to protect herself from the sun’s waking rays. If she hadn’t been so groggy, she might have noticed that the blankets seemed unusually scratchy and that the mattress was harder and lumpier than she remembered.

The door creaked open. Sarah groaned again. She was sure her mother had come into her room unbidden, determined to pull her off to a big breakfast and a busy day.

It’s Sunday, Sarah said from beneath the blankets. I don’t even have school today. Let me sleep just a little longer, OK?

It’s already past noon.

Sarah’s eyes opened wide then, and she poked her head out from underneath the blankets. The voice didn’t belong to her mother. It was a boy’s voice, which meant there was an intruder in her bedroom. She looked in the stranger’s direction and felt a scream begin in her throat. She never got the yell out, though, because by then she had noticed something very strange indeed. She wasn’t in her bed. She wasn’t in her room. She didn’t even know if she was in her own world anymore.

The boy in front of her looked about a year or two older than her, but he cut a very comical figure. He was a mousy young thing, with thin arms and a body that could probably get blown over by a strong wind. He wore dark purple robes that were a size too large for him and seemed to almost swallow him up. A pointed hat sat on top of his head, with the brim almost covering the top of his eyes. If the clothes had fit, he might have looked like a wizard’s apprentice. Instead, he looked like a child in a bad Halloween costume.

The skinny boy crossed his arms. As he did so, his oversized hat fell forward so the brim covered his eyes. He cleared his throat, straightened his hat, and began to speak. As I said, it’s past noon, and you’re in my room uninvited, sleeping in my bed. I’m going to have to ask you to leave. If you don’t, I’ll turn you into a frog or, um, something. He tried to make his voice sound grand and booming, but it cracked when it got too loud, forcing the boy to shift his feet awkwardly.

Sarah could barely stifle a giggle at the gangly young man. You? Turn me into a frog? She was dreaming, she decided. There’s no way someone like you could manage that.

That’s what you think. The boy drew himself up to his full height, which was admittedly rather tall for someone his age. Unfortunately, the wrinkled purple robes and crooked felt hat ruined the effect. I give you one last warning, he said. Be gone from here, or I will strike you down with powerful magic.

Sarah sat up, pushed the blankets off, and smiled. Go ahead. Do your worst.

The boy gave her a grim nod and walked toward a small table next to the bed. A large book sat on the table, with a heavy leather cover and yellowed pages that looked like they were about to fall out. He opened the tome and began reading. "Ebao lareca hiuus!"

The words seemed like nothing more than gibberish, but the sudden authority and confidence in his voice as he spoke them made Sarah jump. As he finished reading, he pointed dramatically toward Sarah. She hunched her shoulders and pulled the blanket tighter, despite herself.

A puff of smoke filled the room. It had a sickly sweet smell which reminded Sarah of black licorice for some reason. She crouched low, coughing and waving her hands to get the strange haze away from her. It disappeared eventually, and Sarah was quite relieved that she hadn’t been transformed into anything unnatural. The boy, however, was nowhere to be found. Only his

Reviews for Greystone Valley

[jjmcgaffey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A cute kids' story, spoiled (at least for me) by rather too many continuity or logic errors. Things like - the book begins with Sarah telling herself a story of the Emerald Enchantress, and continues with two more. Then she encounters the legend of the Enchantress - and her comment is, I've heard of her somewhere. Nothing about the stories she tells herself, just "somewhere". Or when she meets the (only?) female dragon, and is very surprised that the dragon knows her name - and never notices that she knows the _dragon's_ name without being told. The story runs a bit conveniently, but not too badly - though I was very surprised that a girl who reads as much fantasy as Sarah is supposed to was as genre-blind about traveling to another world as she was. Ok, but not good - and I'm not interested in reading her next adventure. The more I think about the story, the more annoyed I get - for one thing, given the revelation at the end, just why is her mother so upset (to the point of sending her to therapy) about her reading fairy tales? Sheesh. And I didn't like the original Puddleglum, so Dax drives me nuts. One incompetent who's convinced he's wonderful, one very competent person who does his best to convince everyone around him that he's incompetent, and Sarah...who doesn't know what she knows. Bah.

[bookwyrmm_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Very cute fantasy, but rather typical themes. Middle readers will enjoy the adventure and the main character's growth.

[lovez2read · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely LOVE this book. I wish I had it in print! This story is well-written, captured my imagination and is full of adventure, danger, magic and friendship. I highly recommend this to middle grade readers who love adventure and mystery that keeps the reader guessing til the very end. With intriguing twists and turns this story of friendship, determination and personal growth will capture the imagination of even the most skeptical reader.The characters are well-developed. The strained relationship between Sarah and her mother is realistic, and explains the reasons for her constant fantasizing well. Her desire to escape leads to her ultimate adventure and her learning some valuable lessons along the way. The emotional roller coaster that Sarah and her new-found friends experience kept my interest from start to finish. I can't wait to see what the author comes up with next. Hopefully there will be another adventure in Greystone Valley for Sarah real soon.*I received an early review copy of Greystone Valley by Charlie Brooks from Grey Gecko Press as part of Librarything Early Reviewers program. all reviews are my personal opinion -see my blog for more info momloves2read(dot)com

[sedelia_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

* I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers Program*This is a cute coming-of-age adventure fantasy where an imaginative little girl finds out that her daydreams may actually be based in reality. When Sarah wishes herself out of her own world, she turns up in Greystone Valley and learns that magic is real, as are fairies and dragons. However, she learns that villains are also real and must come head-to-head with a warlord intent on conquering every land he can find.Greystone Valley is cute and fun, but also predictable and fairly standard for this sort of story. I liked the interweaving of different fantasy elements; such as Sarah's encounters with the fey and then the dragons. It's also nice to think of a castle in some distant land that holds the gateways to all different sorts of worlds. I could definitely see this becoming a series of some sort, though it works just fine as a stand-alone.Overall, this is a fairly enjoyable story. I think children who like fantasy will like this; it's a fast-paced and straightforward story with lots of action involved. For older readers, it may be too simple and predictable, but younger readers are sure to love exploring the world of Greystone Valley and discovering all the fantastical elements it has to offer.

[bookworm_lisa · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sarah escapes reality by imagining adventures and reading her fantasy books. She doesn't want to deal with the fact that her father is gone and it's just her and her mother.After an explosive encounter with her mother about not going to the psychiatrist anymore, she has a very realistic dream. She finds herself in the midst of a fantasy. She wakes up in a strange bed in a medieval inn. An army awaits the capture of the teen with the spell book. He is a wizard apprentice who is not very talented. The friends she makes in her journey are a motley crew. They are the heroes that are not the epic kind, but the good kind to have your back.They meet a warlord, trolls, dragons, fairies, every possible creature that you would find in a fairy tale. She has the adventure she has always dreamed of, but realizes in the end that there is "no place like home."This is story is told very well. It's fun for kids of all ages (that includes grown ups).

[rowan.mountainash · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a charming young adult story that I enjoyed as much when reading it by myself as my 8 year old nephew did when we read it together. The story is well crafted with enough twists and turns to remain interesting but without losing the younger reader. The cover illustration is also worth a mention - and in fact this is one instance of choosing a book due to its cover and not being disappointed!

[kuntalraval-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Greystone Valley is a quaint little story about a young girl who wants to leave her everyday problems behind and run away into a world of fantasy.Nothing new in the concept, but the author has been able to still make the book a very interesting read by giving small twists to the characters. Keeley the dragon is bound to be loved by anyone reading this book, be it a child or an adult. Though meant for young tweens, this book can be read to younger kids as the violence element is quite less. The ending is a bit of a let down, but with opportunities for a prequel/sequel, I would definitely hope the author can come up with something. Its a good book to start someone into this genre before moving onto heavier titles like Artemis.

[rsard_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Pajamas and dragons - and of course a wicked bullying usurper trying to take over the Valley where Sarah has found herself, and a boy her own age who is trying to protect and use his father's spellbook to protect it.With a nice amount of tension and delicious danger Greystone valley an excellent 'read along' book for those too old for bedtime stories but not too old for sharing special time. Like another of the reviewers I was reminded of Narnia (Dax seems very Puddleglum). For those who perhaps liked the movie versions but find the books hard to read, Greystone Valley could make an introduction to reading the genre.Nitpickiness: The book is slim (ok, slimish - but it feels like fast read), with a certain amount of 'stock' characters and situations - something most genre books share and not necessarily a drawback! A series to follow is, I think, highly likely and will probably be enjoyable. The main problem i see with it is getting the book into the right hands. It is not (in my opinion) either for either young adult nor primary readers although the themes and characters would resonate with them. It *is* one of those books where the language and story, however, could be just what a parent of librarian looking for an advanced-for-age or slow-for-year/reluctant reader might find worth a try (and then introduce them to Artemis Fowl when they're ready).

[kjpower · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An enchanting tale of a young girl who must face challenges and learns a thing or two about herself and friendship. This story will appeal to a tween audience.

[jaelquinn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a quest novel written for a young audience. Some of the details, like the pajamas and the surprising cuteness of some of the creature characters will be endearing to younger readers and their parents. The violence is appropriate to the setting and characters. It's not amazing writing, and the plot is predictable, hence a 3 star rating.

[lostinalibrary · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sarah dreams of a world in which dragons exist and she is the Emerald Enchantress. One morning, she wakes up to discover she has somehow been transported to a magical world except she is still just a little girl in her blue pyjamas. Soon, she discovers this world is at war and she is on the run with a rather incompetent boy wizard, an old warrior who is afraid of blood and is only happy when he's sad, and a six-inch dragon named Keeley. But she may have been here before and she may have to save this land if she is ever to get back home.The best word I can think of to describe this tale is charming. Aimed at middle graders, there is enough adventure and danger to keep the older reader happy while not being too scary for the younger reader. Plus there are dragons, lots of dragons, who come in all shapes and sizes and who can resist a dragon.

[saffron12_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sarah is having a difficult time after her father left (or did he die? That seemed unclear.) One night she goes to sleep and she wakes up in another world full of magic and dragons. I liked how this book ended (it seems open to a sequel), and overall, enjoyed the story very much. It is definitely of interest to fourth and fifth graders who enjoy fantasy. My only complaint is that the readers don't learn enough about Sarah and her family in our world to really care initially. I received this book for LT's Early Reviewers.

[steph2472 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet, coming of age story with youngsters and wizards and dragons, oh my! Quick read as it was too hot to play outside today....got this as an advanced reader copy (ebook), Thanks LIbrary Thing and Charlie Brooks.

[chazzarcturus · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What do you do when you wake up and discover that you are still clad in your pajamas but are no longer in your bedroom? If you are 12-year-old Sarah and prefer fantasy to dreadful reality, you go adventuring! Teaming up with the awkward wizard-wanna-be Kay, the pessimistic fighter Dax, and powerful young dragon Keeley, she must fight the evil overlord Baelan and his army in order to win her way back home ... preferably before her mom misses her.The story is very fun to read, is not gory (so it is suitable for squeamish tweens), and delivers a message about believing in yourself without being preachy. I am putting this on my 10-year-old's summer reading list. She will adore Keeley!

[boekenbeestje · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A charming and entertaining story about a young girl who suddenly finds herself in the Magical land of Greystone Valley. I'd recommend this for girls especially. Well-written and easy to read, a touch of humor and lots of exiting moments, plus a happy ending.

[06nwingert · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Twelve-year-old Sarah likes to stay in her room, read and avoid human contact. One night she awakes from a dream in a new world--Greystone Valley. Sarah travels around the valley trying to return to her home, and while she does, she encounters myriad magical creatures such as dragons and trolls. While this book is aimed at younger readers, I had no problems reading it. I fell in love with the characters.

[debbieaheaton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Brooks’ fantasy novel is your standard coming of age story. Greystone Valley is filled with characters: wizards, warriors, fey, trolls, humans and even a darker character filled with evil. Sarah is twelve and fed up with her life as it is but soon finds that not all dreams are what they seem.This is a great book for readers of all ages but I would definitely recommend it to younger readers.

[rhonda1111 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My Review4 STARSI am always surprised at myself for picking what ebook to read based on cover. I have tons of ebooks to read on my kindle but this cover drew my eye since I received it yesterday. Covers that are bland or no picture I have harder time choosing, even if I like the author better.Greystone Valley as lots of different characters. Some human and most from a different land that has magic, dragons, wizards, warriors, fey, trolls and Evil man who wants to conquer worlds not just where he is or the place he is from. It is full of action, drama, heroes, magic and accidents.Sarah is the main character. She is twelve. She wants to live in her room reading books. She does not want to face reality. Her mom is worried about her and is trying to get her to face the world.One morning Sarah wakes up to a boy about her age yelling at her to get out of his room. He is wearing a big purple robe and a pointed hat carrying a big book. He threatens her and turns himself into a frog.Kay is a sorcerer who has lots of problems reading his book of magic. He is being chased by bad guys wanting his magic book. Sarah follows him when he runs from the villagers who are going to turn him in. She thinks she is dreaming till she is hurt.Kay and Sarah are on the run and meet some others who are willing to help them.Baelan is a warlord and comes from a different world. He has conquered some of Greystone and wants to get into the Greystone castle. It is supposed to open doors to lots of different worlds. He wants to go and conquer more worlds. But the door is sealed and can only be open with magic. He believes Kay with his book of magic can be forced to help him.Aries is a general and helps Baelan he is half human and half horse. He is mean, big and tough. He is leading an army to capture Kay and now Sarah. He evens has captured dragons working for him.Every time Kay reads a magic spell it does not work like he thinks it should. Sarah has a easier time reading his magic book than Kay does. Kay has been learning from his father but now he all alone. Kay really can't read the book but she knows what the spells are for and how to pronounce the foreign words.They go from one problem to the next and make friends and enemies all along the way. It is a fun adventure fantasy book. It is a clean book. I look forward to reading more from Charlie Brooks in the future.I was given this ebook to read as part of Librarything Early Reviewers program. Asked to give honest review of it in exchange.Publication date: 4/15/2013 Publisher: Grey Gecko Press ISBN-13: 9781938821332 166 pages